‘An Armchair of One's Own'

'The proposal for my residency builds upon an essay of the same name, written during my studies in Portraiture Painting at Heatherley’s. Its concept is inspired by Henri Matisse’s famous metaphor, describing his art as a "comfortable armchair” for its viewer:

“What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter, an art which could be for every mental worker, for the businessman as well as the man of letters, for example, a soothing, calming influence on the mind, something like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.' Henry Matisse

However, this image, like so many in history, overlooks the quiet, ever-present existence of women. Lounging in an armchair, waiting for inspiration to strike, has historically been a man’s privilege. Women, by contrast, are seldom alone, their hands rarely idle. Unless elderly, unwell, or incapacitated, their roles have traditionally demanded constant activity. Stillness is not part of our conditioning or experience. Globally, women shoulder the bulk of unpaid labour - household chores and caregiving - which limits not only their economic opportunities but also their ability to create and participate in art.

Yet, I remain captivated by the imagery of the armchair as a symbol of artistic creation – HER armchair. What would it take to make this armchair fit for a woman? What would it be for me, the female artist’s experience, if I truly dedicated myself to creating?

For my residency at RuptureXIBIT(+Studio), I propose starting with a tangible symbol of grounding: positioning “an armchair of my own” in the bare gallery space. This armchair will serve as a centrepiece for exploring, untangling and reweaving the many threads of my life, work and multidisciplinary artistic practice’.